Goodloe Edgar Byron (June 22, 1929 – October 11, 1978) was an American Democratic politician who was the member of the United States House of Representatives for Maryland's 6th congressional district from 1971 until his death.

[1] He served as a member of the United States Army Judge Advocate General's Corps from 1953 to 1957, honorably discharged with the rank of captain.

[1] On October 11, 1978, Byron suffered a fatal heart attack while he was jogging with an aide alongside the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in western Maryland.

Byron was intrigued by the now widely discredited claim of Thomas J. Bassler, MD that nonsmokers able to complete a marathon in under four hours can eat whatever they wish and never suffer a fatal heart attack.

[4] According to nutritionist and longevity research pioneer Nathan Pritikin, Byron had run six Boston Marathons, with a best time of 3:28:40, and had not smoked for 25 years.